The Facebook parent company, Meta, has today announced a total of €250,000 in grants to support digital skills across communities in County Meath.
The funding will enhance digital skills programmes across education, training, and not for profit organisations in Meath with a particular focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion, to support migrant communities, students, families and older people.
The grants will support the work of LMETB, Cultúr Migrant Centre and Youth Work Ireland Meath to deliver programmes including: online skills and cyber safety workshops for seniors in Community Education, devices and learning programmes to support mothers with young children in Mosney Village, skills refresh and English language programmes for migrants, and digital engagement programmes to increase young people’s confidence in coding.
Minister for Justice and Meath East TD Helen McEntee said the funding from Meta is hugely welcome and will support so many worthwhile projects and initiatives across Meath.
“The partnership with Dunboyne College of Further Education on the Meta Digital Hub is an especially innovative way of ensuring students in the county are supported in working with new technology, as well in availing of blended learning and remote working.
“And the overall range of grants across many organisations – supporting diversity, equality and inclusion, migrant communities, families and older people – is a big boost to supporting digital skills in Meath.”
Speaking at the launch, Aoife Flynn, Head of Community Development at Meta said; “At Meta, we’re committed to supporting communities and helping them overcome the digital divide and contribute to a sustainable future through digital skills. Covid-19 accelerated remote working and the need for digital skills, and we’re proud to partner with local organisations to ensure that these skills are brought to those who need them most.
Martin G. O’Brien, Chief Executive at Louth Meath Education and Training Board, said; ​​”…LMETB’s commitment to the development of technical proficiency is evidenced throughout its Further Education and Training provision. We are delighted to enhance this further through this very positive engagement, to deliver a shared vision, and to progress all the innovative programmes announced here today. We very much look forward to progressing these initiatives and would like to acknowledge Meta for their commitment to the community in Meath and to those in education in particular.
Tinu Achioya, Programme Manager of Cultúr Migrant Centre said; “This programme will help us to promote social inclusion through tailored interventions, that will also lead to the development of new skills, increased English language competencies and greater career opportunities for migrants in Meath”
Geraldine Hogarty, Regional Director of Youth Work Ireland (Meath) said; “Thanks to the Meta Digital Skills funding, we are able to provide our young people and volunteers with coding skills training that will benefit them into the future, ensuring that new digital techniques and equipment are easily accessible. Our newly established ‘Know The Code Club’ will now continue to grow with exciting workshops planned for the summer break.”
